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Question
Asked for a clearer plan from MOD regarding military support during pandemic, emphasised public need to know about such decisions. Mentioned deployment of troops in Liverpool and their role in city-wide testing. Raised concerns over sustainability of deployment and potential benefits for other cities/towns. Questioned impact on forces’ training and capabilities against conflicts/threats. Asked about military involvement in vaccine planning and delivery.
Minister reply
Welcomed support from the shadow Secretary of State, confirmed that essential Defence tasks continue to operate without significant disruptions due to precautionary measures taken early on. Reiterated readiness to support other Government departments when required, highlighted successful cooperation between Liverpool City Council, NHS and forces. Emphasised scalability of deployment and ongoing discussions with civilian agencies for broader application.
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Question
Asked if MOD was asked to implement a single chain of command and headquarters control for test and trace operations, given its importance in military operations.
Minister reply
Responded that it is not within MoD's purview to dictate methods of other departments. Emphasised coordination through liaison officers across government and embedding personnel in local resilience forums.
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Question
The MP thanks the shadow Secretary of State for tabling an urgent question and recognises the armed forces' contributions. He asks for details on how many of the 341 requests were from Scotland, and inquires about future vaccine roll-out plans to avoid disinformation spreading.
Minister reply
Minister does not have exact numbers but will write back with them later. Recalls an instance where a severely ill patient was moved by armed forces. Expresses delight at working with the Scottish Government. Refrains from speculating about future vaccine roll-out plans due to current early stages.
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Question
Given military’s expertise in sudden, fast-moving events and surges, why haven’t they been more involved in planning since the outset?
Minister reply
Defence has been involved from the start on planning and logistics. Military personnel are regularly deployed and have a role to pass tasks onto others once they get up to speed.
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Question
As NHS Test and Trace has grown rapidly, could the MOD offer headquarters capability to assist?
Minister reply
MOD is indeed assisting with logistics, planning, and support as required. The scale of build-out by other Departments is huge.
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Question
Why have the armed forces been deployed in such a limited way throughout the pandemic despite 2015 strategic defence review stating military planners should be involved in contingency planning?
Minister reply
At peak, over 7,500 military personnel were deployed in support of civil power. Defence stands ready to respond at any time based on requests.
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Question
Can the Minister pay tribute to the science and scientists working at DSTL, and is recruitment into armed forces increasing due to increased visibility?
Minister reply
DSTL has done a first-class job. Recruitment applications have increased by 13% in the year up to July 2020.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
What is being done for PPE and testing of overseas armed forces personnel working in challenging environments?
Minister reply
All precautions are taken based on Department of Health advice. Regular testing occurs for those helping with the pilot scheme in Liverpool. Quarantine periods before deployment ensure safety.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that reservists have played an important role, and will he thank them for their contribution?
Minister reply
Absolutely, reservists answered the call to support us during the pandemic.
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Question
Confirmation on recent testing requests in Northern Ireland and MOD's willingness to respond positively.
Minister reply
MOD is always ready to provide any necessary assistance for the UK, including Northern Ireland.
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Question
Is the critical task of defending the nation compromised by military involvement in pandemic-related work?
Minister reply
Critical tasks such as continuous at-sea deterrent and quick reaction alert have continued, and training has been maintained.
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Question
Echoed the shadow Secretary of State’s thanks to the armed services personnel and inquired about the duration of the mass testing pilot in Liverpool. Requested that if more time is needed, the pilot should continue until the end of the national lockdown and some military support remain after.
Minister reply
Welcomed Liverpool's effort and acknowledged the Ministry of Defence's role to provide support as necessary based on the facts.
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Question
Paid tribute to reservists for their efforts during the pandemic and asked if consideration is given when they are mobilised.
Minister reply
Acknowledged that intelligent mobilisation includes engaging with reservists to ensure balance between family and work commitments.
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Question
Asked about conversations the Ministry of Defence has had with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding support for local councils.
Minister reply
Replied that military advisers have been deployed through the local resilience forums to work alongside councils.
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Question
Suggested that now is a good time for the Ministry of Defence to help in the logistics and distribution of vaccines.
Minister reply
Agreed with the suggestion, noting that the MoD is ready to provide support as required.
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Question
Asked about deployment of medical services training centre in York and measures ensuring NHS support during winter.
Minister reply
Confirmed that there are 1,600 medics embedded in the NHS currently, and that this support will continue into the winter.
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Question
Asked about assessments of where armed forces deployment is most effective.
Minister reply
Reassured that requests are assessed on merit with built-in resilience in personnel numbers.
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Question
Expressed gratitude and encouraged the Minister to support a response led by public health professionals and local authorities, backed up by armed forces.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the warm reception in Liverpool for military personnel and the traditional approach of passing over responsibilities to civilian contractors.
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Question
Asked about extra capacity within armed forces to support areas like Kirklees with mass testing and track and trace.
Minister reply
Noted the challenges in Kirklees and confirmed that military led mobile testing units initially but now 620 testing centres are operational across the country.
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Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
Asked if there are plans to deploy armed forces in Hull to help scale-up test and trace.
Minister reply
Replied that there is a whole-city testing pilot currently being run in Liverpool, and the MoD will respond to MACA requests to provide support.
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Question
Will the Minister assure me that the armed forces will not be used to enforce any coronavirus regulations?
Minister reply
I can reassure my right hon. Friend that I know many fine major generals but I do not know any that would wish to return to the 61650s. I can also reassure him that there is no way that the armed forces will be used to enforce coronavirus regulations.
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Question
The Minister has already revealed to the House that military assistance to civil authorities’ requests has quadrupled this year, for understandable reasons. As we approach the end of the year, with the potential for a vaccine to be deployed and some pressures as a result of Brexit, is he confident that all future MACA requests will be able to be met because he has the appropriate capacity?
Minister reply
First, I wish the hon. Lady’s constituents well at a difficult time, and I am glad that the military has been well received in her constituency. We are looking at how we scale up. We are always in the process of planning to see how we can get the extra resources if required and if called upon, so I have a great deal of confidence that we will be able to continue to meet MACA requests.
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Question
Will the Minister give me an assurance today that both he and the Secretary of State will vigorously resist, with the help of No. 10, any further cuts in our armed forces?
Minister reply
I feel that I ought to declare an interest because I once served in the Treasury—but I can absolutely reassure my right hon. Friend that decisions made on resources for the armed forces through the integrated review are made on the basis of threat. That is core to the work that we are undertaking, and I hope that he will take that reassurance.
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Question
Will there be an opportunity for the British Army to assist, if it is called upon by the Northern Ireland Assembly? Can the Minister also assure the House that no soldier will be asked to go anywhere without the appropriate PPE and training to deal with people in these very difficult and different days?
Minister reply
We will ensure that all deployed personnel get the right PPE and take the right covid precautions. I warmly welcome what the hon. Gentleman says about how the armed forces represent the whole of our great nation right across the board. We are proud that that is the case and we are always working to ensure that it is the case. We will always stand ready to listen to any MACA requests that come in, and we will always look at those sympathetically if we can.
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Question
I am delighted to tell my hon. Friend that there has been a significant increase in applications to the college, so inspired are young people by what they have seen of military service in our town. Will he join me in thanking military personnel who have served in Sussex?
Minister reply
I should also declare an interest because I am a Sussex Member of Parliament. Those military personnel have done a terrific job, including, I recall, in May with the mobile testing unit. I am delighted to confirm what my hon. Friend says relating to increased interest in the armed forces. As I say, recruitment is well up this year, as is retention, and I am delighted to see both.
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Question
May I put on the record my gratitude for the work that the armed forces are doing in combating this global pandemic? It does seem that there are other countries that may be better organised in emergency management, so what lessons have been learned by the UK Government from how other countries have been handling the crisis?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for the question. We always look at what other people do and how other people respond, but there has been a great well of support—as, indeed, came from him—for the work done by the armed forces, how they have responded to requests that have come in and how they have continued to assist other Departments in ensuring that we get the very best response in this country.
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Question
May I ask if he has had any requests from civilian authorities to assist with vaccine roll-out and, if so, what those plans are?
Minister reply
My understanding is that work is being done on planning, logistics and how we would support the important role with a vaccine, but I really would counsel that this is still very early days on the vaccine, as the Prime Minister made clear yesterday. We are ready to assist on logistics and planning—thoughts, preparations and logistics—but this is early days still.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend not think that it is incorrect that there is not a place for the armed forces at the quad, the top decision-making body dealing with this pandemic?
Minister reply
I welcome what my right hon. Friend says about the support that is provided by the armed forces. He is absolutely right that we have a vast array of areas where we can support and provide assistance to other Departments. However, as he is very well aware, the process is that the civil authority comes to us to request assistance, and we always stand ready to receive such reports.